Machine for affixing stamps, labels, and the like



Jul 25, 1933. LL 1,919,415

AND THE LIKE MACHINE FOR AFFIXING STAMPS, LABELS Filed Oct. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 25, 1933. COGSWELL 1,919,415

AND THE LIKE MACHINE FOR AFFIXING STAMPS, LABELS,

Filed Oct. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 25, 1933 UNITED STA ES earerir err EQE sonBuaY, ENGLAND ALEXANDER GORDON O'OGSWELL, F GHIPPIIJG MACHINE FOB. AFEIXING STAMPS, LABELS, THE LIKE in Application filed October 21, 1931 Serial No. 570,212, and Great Britain December 9, 1930.

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l is a slide working in a guide formed by a That end of the lever 17 which is remote from the pivot pin is cut away so as to leave two fingers which, when the lever isrocked, pass through a slot in the frame 11 and press one of the stamps against a fixed 55} This invention relates to improvements in machines for aflixing stamps, labels and the like.

One object of the present invention is to provide a machine for affixing stamps, labels and the like, the principal parts of which can be made from stampings, and which is 0011- thus retain it: sequently cheap to manufacture. t-ion and-the lingers 20 are formed with acir- Figure l is a side elevation,Figure 2 an cular recess so that when they press a stamp end elevation, Figure 3 a transverse section against the bar, the stamp is looped on the line 3'3 Figure 4, and. Figures 4 and securely held. I a 5 sectional views taken 011 the line et-4i of 22 is a. small receptacle for water,- which Figure 2 showing the parts in different posh may operate on the bird fountain principle,

, tions. the receptacle having a spout 23 in which is a pad 24 of felt or like material which is wetted by the water and in turn moistens the gummed side of the stamps. The tank is-provided with pins 25 forming pivot pins there-' for, and the pins enter bearing jaws 26 formed in bearing strips 27 secured to the frame 11: the pins are normally retained in position in the jaws by a blade spring 28'se-f and against which frame member 2, the slide being operable against the action-of a return spring 3 interposed between a plug in a hollow handle 4 v. and a head on a central stem '5' having at its lower end a transverse stud-like part in which is received in apertures'inthe frame member 2. The slide is bifurcated as shown at 6 to receive the stem 5 and part 10 thereof and the bifurcated portions are secured to a ab metal liner 7 1n the handle.

Theslideis provided, on each side, with a roller 8 engaging the walls of a slot 9 in the member 2 and slide, the movement of the slide in the frame is also determined by handle 5.

Pivotally mounted on a pivot pin llis a roll frame 11, adapted to support a roll of I stamps, the support being provided for this purpose with a spindle '12 having clamping nuts 13 whichcan be slackened to allow the withdrawal of the spindle from the frame 11 which latter is formed with jaws 14 to permit this to be effected, the nuts also providing a means for regulating the tension 011 the roll are engaged by the rollers 8 on the slide 1.

pivot pin l1'-- 7 and is provided with cam surfaceslS which the jaws when it is'desired to remove the tank. Ifdesired, a spring plunger carried by the tank and abutting may be employed in place of the blade spring.

Normally the with a stamp by a strut 29 on gripping lever 17, the held cam tracks 18. The plate 30 is'normally urged by a spring'operated trigger 32 to pro ect beyond the nose of the machine as seen in Figure 1) and actuated, allow the extensions 31 and hence the stamp gripping lever 17 and the strut 29 to move to free the tank mounted at 34 in the frame member 2' and its inner end is adapted to be engaged by'a projection 35 on the slide 1. I

The end of the frame member 2 is provided with a heel piece 36 which presses the edge'of a stamp to be affixed onto the article to. be

or head on the tank, the spring allowing the pins readily to be removed from against the frame 11.:

pad is held-out of-contact the stamp; strut normally being in this position by a register plate 30 slidably mounted on the frame member 2 and; against which abuts an extension3l of theis provided with cut away portions 33 which, when the machine is to allow the pad tri ger is pivotlly;

stamped, the said stamp being guided thereto by a pair of fingers 37 on the frame 11.

The end of the slide 1 is provided with a presser foot 38 which is carried by a spring 39 in such manner that the foot can tilt thereby allowing the device to be applied to the article to be stamped within wide limits of angular position. formed by three fingers 40 the central one of which projects slightly beyond the other two in order to ensure the separation of the stamps this effect being supplemented by arrangingthe presser foot at an angle other than at right angles to the slide.

The frame member 2, the frame 11 and the stamp gripping lever 17 can as shown in Figure 3 readily be formed from sheet metal stamped to a U-shaped form, the dimensions of these parts and their location being such that they can move freely one within the other.

In operation, to prepare the machine a roll of stamps is placed in position, and the end stamp threaded under the strap 21 and the fingers 37 as shown in Figure 1, the registry of the end stamp being effected by the register plate. hen it is desired to affix a stamp the machine is pressed against the surface to be stamped, and thrust exerted on the slide; the register plate 30 on the frame member 2 is pushed up against the action of the trigger 32 and the heel 36 comes down on to the forward part of the'stamp, holding it firmly.

This upward movement of the register plate 30 releases the strut 29 on the stamp gripping lever and allows the stamp gripping lever 17 and tank 22 to rock, so that the pad of the tank is pressed on the stamp.

the against the cam Continued downward movement of slide 1 forces the rollers 8 surfaces 15 of the frame 11, and turns it out on the pivot pin 11, thereby unwinding the stamp roll and drawing stamps past the pad 24: which thereby moistens them. The distance through which the stamps are fed is slightly greater than the length of a stamp, so that it is ensured that despite variation in the length of stamps due for example, to Varying humidity there will always be sufiicient length of the end stamp projecting to abut against and be registered by the register plate, the excess of stamp being pushed back towards the strap on the roll carryingframe The rollers 8 now move into engagement with the stamp gripping lever 17 and cause it to hold the second stamp firmly against the strap 21 on the roll supportingframe, thus preventing the stamp from being drawn further from the roll.

The slide has now brought the central finger on the presser foot 38 against the line of perforation between the first and second stamp, thus ensuring the stamps parting at the line of perforation. The parting of the stamps is effected by the completion of the downward stroke of the slide, which causes the stamp gripping lever 17 to turn the frame 11 further out and also causes the presser foot 38 to press the moistened the surface to be stamped. The forward end of the presser foot is The machine is then lifted clear from the surface that has been stamped, the trigger 32 by its engagement with the projection 35 (as seen in Figure 4) preventing the frame 11 from closing until the machine is lifted clear of the surface.

As the slide completes its return movement under the action of the spring 3 which has been compressed by the downward movement of the handle, first the register plate 30 is forced downwards by the trigger, and the stamp gripping lever 17 freed to releasethe stamps, the next stamp to be used projecting out from it, turns down to the end of its spring influenced movement and brings the, leading end of the end stamp under the heel 36, the leading end of the stamp being prevented from bulging away from the heel by'the fingers 37 on the frame 11; these fingers also help to form, in conjunction with a rounded face of the lower end of the frame 11, a transverse curvature in the stamp, so that it passes out slightly concave, and thus is prevented from falling away from the heel piece 36, whereby the mere application of the stamping device to the article to be stamped causes the end stamp to be held by the heel 36. During this movement of the frame 11 the receptacle 22 engages the strut 29 (which is new again held by the lever 17 and plate 30) and thereby is prevented from causing the pad to be applied to the stamps.

If the device is to be employed in a power driven machine the operating handle t could of course, be omitted and the slide be power actuated. I

When the invention is applied for use in a power driven mailing machine for example, the tank 22 and pad could be omitted and the envelope or the like to be stamped would then be moistened itself during its passage through the machine.

It will be understood that although the invention has been described for use in applying stamps it is capable of applying other obiects of like nature as for example labels and it is furthermore to be understood that the word stamp employed in the appended claims is intended to include such other objects.

\VhatI claim is 2- 1. In a machine for aliixing stamps drawn inperforated strip form from a roll, the combination of a frame membeigva roll holder, a member'for holding the end stamp, a guide member which stamp on to.

then theframe 11, which now has is pivotally mounted on-theand gripper frame member and over which the stripis led from the roll into position for the end stamp to be engaged and held by the holding member, a pivotally mounted gripper which is adapted to cooperate with the guide member positively to .hold the second stamp, a device adapted to press on to the strip at a zone adjacent the line of perforations between the end and second stamp, an operating member which when operated causes stamp length of strip is gripper to move into gripping position before the movement of the guide member ceases and the pressing device to become operative whereby the end stamp is severed and pressed on to the article to registering device for registering the fresh end stamp when the parts return to their original position.

V A machine as claimed in claim 1 and in which the frame member, the guide member, and the gripper are formed by U-shaped members which are received inside each other, and vin which an operating slide is received within the innermost member.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 and in which the pivotally mounted guide member vare mounted on a common pivot on the frame member.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 and in which the end stamp holding member moves into holding position by the application of F the machine to the article to be stamped.

in claim 1 in which the end stamp holding prises a foot formed on the frame and adapted for cooperation with the article to be I stamped.

6. In a machine in perforated strip form from a roll, the combination of a frame member, a roll holder, a member for holding the end stamp, a guide I member which is pivotally mounted on the frame member and over which the strip is led from the roll into position for the end stamp to be engaged and held by the holding member, a pivotally mounted gripper which is adapted to holc the second stamp between itself and the guide member, an operating slide, cam mechanism operated by the slide tocause the guide member to rock about its pivot while the end stamp is held, whereby a length of strip is drawn from the roll and also to cause the gripper to move into gripping posit-ion before the movement of the guide member ceases and a presser foot operable the line of perforations between the end and stamp so as to sever the end stamp and then to press the severed end stamp on to the article to be stamped.

7. In a machine for aflixing stamps drawn from a roll, the combination of a roll holder,

the stamps pass from means for moving said member end stamp so that the said movement causes a stamp length to be drawn from the roll, a second device for holding the second stamp fixed with respect to the movable member, means for pressing on the strip at a zone adjacent perforation between the end and the adjoining stamp, and means for rendering said sec ond device and the pressing means operative before the movement of the movable member ceases so as to sever the end stamp.

In a machine for affixing stan'ips drawn from a. roll, the-combination of a roll holder, :1- member over which the stamps pass from the roll, means on the member for causing the stamps to have a transverse curvature, means for moving said member, a device for hoiding the end stamp so that the said movement causes a stamp length to be drawn from the roll, a second device for holding the second stain fixed with ber, means for rendering said second device operative before the movable member ceases, a presser foot adapted while thesecond device is operative to press on to the strip adjacent the line of perforations between the end and second stamp so as to sever the end stamp and to press it on to the article tobe stamped, the extent of movement of the member before the second device becomes operative being such that an excess of strip is drawn from the roll, and a registering device for registering the fresh end stamp on the return of the parts to their original position.

In a machine for atiixing stamps d rawn from a roll, the combination of a ro l holder, a member over which the stampspass from the roll, means for moving said member, a device for holding the end stamp so that the said movement causes a. stamp length to be drawn from the roll, a second device for holding the second to the movable member, means for rendering said second device operative before the move ment of the movable member ceases so as to sever the end stamp, presser foot for pressing the end stamp on to the article to be stamped, a device for moistening the stamps, and means preventing the moistening device from moistening a stamp except when the machine is applied to an article to be stamped. n a machine for afiixing ps,

roll, the combination of a frame member, a roll holder, a member for holding the end a guide member which is pivotally mounted on the frame member and i from the roll into position for the end stamp to be engaged and held by the holding member, a pivotallymounted gripper Which is adapted to cooperate with the guide member to hold the second stamp, an operating mema member over which the roll,

movementof the stamp fixed with respect the line of ber which when operated causes the guide member to rock about its pivot while the end stamp is held, whereby a stamp length is drawn from the roll, and also causes the gripper to move into gripping position before the movement of the guide member ceases whereby the end stamp is severed, a presser foot or the like for pressing the severed stamp on to the article to be stamped, adevice for moistening the stamps, and means preventing the moistening device from moistening a stamp except when the machine is applied to an article to be stamped.

11. In a machine for aiiixing stamps drawn from a roll, the combination of a roll holder, a member over which the stamps pass from the roll, means for moving said member, a device for holding the end stamp of the roll so that the said movement draws an excess length of stamp from the roll, a registering device for registering the end stamp, a second device for holding the second stamp fixed with respect to the movable member, means for rendering said second device operative before the movement of the movable member ceases so as to sever the end stamp, and a presser foot for pressing the end stamp on to the article to be stamped.

12. In a machine for aflixing stamps drawn from a roll, the combination of a roll holder, a member over which the stamps pass from the roll, means for moving the member, a

device for holding the end stamp so that the movement of said member draws an excess length of stamp from the roll, a second device for holding the second stamp fixed with respect to the movable member, means for rendering said second device operative member ceases so as to sever the end stamp, a presser foot for pressing the severed stamp on to the article to be stamped, a device for moistening the stamp, and a member which prevents the moistenin g device from. moistening a stamp except when the machine is applied to an article to be stamped and which also forms a register for the stamps.

13. A; machine as claimed in claim 12 and in which the last mentioned-member also prevents the parts from returning to the original positions until the machine and the article to be stamped are separated.

14. In a machine for affixing stamps drawn from a ro l, the combination of a frame member, a roll holder, a member for holding the end stamp, a guide member movably mounted on the frame and over which the stamps are led from the roll into position for the end stamp to be engaged and held by the holding member, a moistening device movably mounted on the frame, means holding said moistening device normally inoperative,

before the movement of the a gripper cooperating with the guide member'to hold the second stamp, an operating member which cau'sesvthe guide member to movewhile the end stamp is held whereby a stamp is drawn from a roll and also causes the gripper member to move into gripping position beforethe movement of the guide member ceases whereby the end stamp issevcred, a presser foot for pressing the end stamp on to the article to be stamped, a movable registering member which registers the end stamp and isdisplaced by the application of the machine to an article to be stamped, and co-i'inections between the registering member and the means holdingthe moistening device whereby the said means arerendered inoperative by displacement of the registering member. I

15. A machine as claimed in claim 12 and in which the registering member prevents the return of the parts to their-original po-' sitions until separation is effected between the machine and the article.

16. In a machine for aiiixingstamps drawn in perforated strip form from a roll, the combination of a frame member, a roll holder, a member over which the strip passes from the roll, a device for holding the end stamp, asecond device for holding'the second stamp fixed with respect to the member, a prcsser foot for engaging the strip adjacent the line of perforations between the end and second stamp, and an operating device which first operates the member and then before movement'thereof ceases causes the second device and the presser foot to become operative whereby a length of strip is first drawn from the roll and the end stamp severed and pressed on to the article to be-stamped.

17 In a machine for affixing stamps drawn in perforatedstrip form from a roll, the combination of a frame member, a roll holder, a member over which the strip passes from the roll, a device for holding the end stamp, a second device for holding the second stamp fixed with respect to the member, a presser foot for engaging the strip adjacent the line of perforations between the end and second stamp, an operating device which first 0pcrates the member and then before movement thereof ceases causes the second device and the-presser foot to become operative whereby a length of strip is first drawn from the roll and the end stamp severed and pressed on to the article to be stamped, the extent of movement of the member before the second device becomes operative being such that an excess of strip is drawn from the roll, and. a registering plate which registers the fresh end stamp of the strip when the member returns to its original position.

ALEXANDER GORDON COGSWELL. 

